Choosing the Right Childcare Centre for your Child
There are sure to be many childcare centres in your area and if you’re going back to work or want to help your child socialise with other children their age, you may have started looking and now you’re thinking ‘how do I know which one to go with?’.
Some of it comes down to going with your gut. You could set up tours for you and your child at your local centres and one of them will probably feel right. You could also speak to your friends or family and ask how they made their decision and if they have any recommendations.
Each centre should have a website detailing their services and on a tour you should be able to meet the staff, so you can see the friendly faces who will be looking after your child. You could also look up the reviews of each centre you’re considering, so you can see the experiences of other parents just like you. If you think you will struggle being separated from your child at first, you could ask if the centre gives feedback or updates about the child’s day, as this could help you adjust.
Other questions you could ask include what the staff turnover is like so you know if your child will have to get used to new faces frequently, and whether you can be involved in your child’s learning as this gives you an idea of the relationship between educators and families. Understanding what is included in the daily fee (ie nappies, wipes, sunscreen, sunsmart hat, number of meals, incursions, excursions etc) and drop-off/pickup times will allow you to compare the cost of each service you are considering.
Lastly, don’t forget to avail of the orientation process, as this will allow your child to meet their educators and get used to their new environment before commencing their early learning journey!
What Qualifications to Look for
By law, all staff working at a childcare centre must have Working with Children Checks which helps keep your child safe. At least 50% of the educators at the centre must be educated to a Diploma level in Children’s Services. If your childcare centre also offers a 3 year-old & 4 year-old kindergarten program then the kindergarten teachers must hold a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education. Childcare centres must also ensure that staff qualified in First Aid, Asthma & Anaphylaxis training are in attendance at all times.
Consider What’s Included in the Cost
You may be tempted to pick whichever childcare centre is the cheapest but it’s key to know what you’re paying for. For example, you’re sure to want balanced & healthy meals for your child, so you should ask for a sample menu when you tour the centre so you can be sure they are providing quality, nutritious food.
You should also know the operating hours and what times you can drop off and pick up your child. Cheaper childcare is likely to run shorter hours and/or be strict with collection times, but flexibility might be important for your schedule.
Some childcare centres include nappies, wipes, sunsmart hat and sunscreen so it’s good to know what you’ll need to provide so you can factor this into your budget. While all childcare centres offer daily educational activities, you could investigate whether they provide an additional incursions and excursions program. If they do, these should be included in the daily fee and will help your child explore new environments and experiences.
We’d recommend considering what’s important for your child and your family and then finding a childcare centre that ticks as many of those boxes as possible. At Little Learners Day Care Centre, we focus on providing a nurturing & fun environment with a strong emphasis on the health & well-being of the children. Contact us here to book a tour & discover the Little Learners difference!
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